County by county news for Tuesday

Also Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington weighed a request by DeYoung’s lawyers for a stay of execution to allow a lawsuit to proceed against the Department of Corrections. It alleges DOC failed to follow proper procedure when it changed lethal-injection drugs in May. DeYoung sits on death row for killing his parents and 14-year-old sister at their northeast Cobb home in 1993. Bill Rankin

No property tax hike likely in Marietta

Marietta property owners won’t see an increase in taxes if officials adopt a flat millage rate on July 27. The City Council will meet to adopt the 2011 millage rate at 5:15 p.m. in City Hall at 205 Lawrence St. All rates that will appear in tax bills are proposed to stay the same, including the general fund rate at 2.788 mills and the school rate of 1.187 mills. Ty Tagami

Marietta OKs policy to ask for attorney fees

Marietta last week approved a policy asking for attorney fees after law suits filed against the city are considered frivolous or litigious. City attorney Doug Haynie will review lawsuits the city has won to determine pursuing repayment of fees through Cobb Superior Court. Councilman Philip Goldstein lost a suit against the city in Cobb Superior Court June 28 to allow him to build a five-story building on the Marietta Square. Waleed “Lee” Jaraysi’s suit over an unfinished reception hall on South Marietta Parkway was dismissed by Cobb Superior Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals. A final decision will be made by the Supreme Court of Georgia. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Discard appliances free on Saturday

Dump old appliances for free in Cobb County on Saturday .

Keep Cobb Beautiful is supporting Advanced Disposal as the waste management company offers a free residential appliance recycling day, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Advanced Disposal Services Transfer Station, 1897 County Services Parkway in Marietta. Information: 770-485-8940. Ty Tagami

Acworth reschedules fireworks for Aug. 19

Acworth has rescheduled a fireworks display that was rained out on July 4 for Aug. 19. The city’s Love the Lake concert series will start 6:30 p.m.at Cauble Park on Lake Acworth with the Paul Hand Band . A free shuttle will pick up concert goers downtown at parking lots at Acworth City Hall, Acworth First Baptist Church and the post office. To rent a table: www.acworth.org/aprd. Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Hickory Hills Park to get makeover

The Alpharetta-based CRS Building Corp. has won the contract to begin $1.43 million in renovations to Marietta’s Hickory Hills Park, officials said. Improvements include tennis courts, a picnic shelter, play fields, restrooms, a walking track and a parking lot.

Playground renovation bids aren’t in yet, but officials expect the project to stay within the $1.75 million budget. Much of the park, at 400 Chestnut Hill Rd., should open by January, with the grassy fields opening next summer. Ty Tagami

GWINNETT

Students awarded Merit scholarships

The number of Gwinnett County high school graduates receiving National Merit College-sponsored scholarships has just jumped from 12 to 16, Gwinnett County Public Schools has just announced.

The newest recipients are: Laura E. Hooper, Norcross High; Melinda K. Johnson, Dacula High; Calvin Q. Li , Duluth High; and Nikhil Ramesh, a recent graduate of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. They each have earned a scholarship worth between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. Nancy Badertscher

I-85 lane closures for bridge demolition

The Georgia Department of Transportation will demolish the Ga. 324 bridge over I-85 northbound this week.

Each day through Thursday crews will close one northbound I-85 lane from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. within one mile of the bridge. Traffic on Ga. 324 – already using a new bridge – will not be affected.

Workers removed the southbound portion of the old bridge last week. David Wickert

Chamber’s DeSilva gets promotion

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce has promoted Vince DeSilva to senior vice president of membership services.

DeSilva previously was vice president of membership services. In his new role he will perform his existing duties and work more closely with the chamber’s executive team on the organization’s long-term future. DeSilva has run the chamber’s membership department since 2007. David Wickert

Night Out Against Crime in Snellville

The Snellville Police Department will host the city’s National Night Out Against Crime event on Aug. 2. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Snellville’s Town Green. Information: www.snellville.org. Joel Anderson

Students win Emmy Award for production

Three Berry College students, including two from Lilburn, recently won a 2011 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast Emmy Award. Seniors Alex Middleton and Steven Walker of Lilburn and Thomas Yungerberg of Canton earned the award for their student-produced comedy show, “The Conference Room.” All three students produce, write and star in the show. “The Conference Room” is broadcast on Viking Fusion, a student-run converged media website. Information: http://vikingfusion.berry.edu. Joel Anderson

Charter to operate in public school system

Gwinnett County Public Schools recently announced that Ivy Preparatory Academy, formally commissioned charter school, will join four other charter schools that will function under the public school system. The all girls school located in Peachtree Corners opened in 2008. On May 16, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that the Georgia Charter Schools Commission did not have the authority to establish schools and use local funds for commissioned-approved schools. Alaya Boykin

NORTHSIDE

Ensemble Theatre’s artistic director honored

The Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s artistic director, Robert J. Farley, was honored by Kennesaw State University College of Arts.

The artistic director was honored with the 2011 Flourish Award, which was created in 2005 to honor people who support the arts. The Georgia Ensemble Theatre is the only professional theater company in North Fulton. “It’s an honor to be recognized by KSU,” Farley said in a press release. “GET has had the opportunity to collaborate with... [KSU] throughout the years and it has been a joy to work with such talented artists.” Elise Hitchcock

Board confirms new hires for schools

Acting on the recommendation of the superintendent, the Fulton County School Board, acting on the superintendent’s recommendations, has confirmed these new hires for schools on the northside: Lauren Seidman, coordinator of instruction implementation in Charlotte/Mecklenburg Schools, N.C. as principal at Haynes Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta; and Michael Lemoyne, an assistant principal in Rush-Henry County, N.Y., as assistant principal, Alpharetta High School. Nancy Badertscher

Cherokee students score well in tests

Cherokee County School District students continue to surpass Georgia average scores on End of Course Tests across all eight categories of testing -- Math I, Math II, 9th grade Literature, 11th grade Literature, Biology, Physical Science, U.S. History, and Economics -- according to a report issued by the school district. Cherokee students performed best in Math II, where they scored 30 percent higher than the state average; Math I, 23 percent higher than the state average, and U.S. History, 20 percent higher than the state average. Jeffry Scott

Road work means detour on Riverside

Road work will continue through July 27 at Riverside and Martin roads in Roswell.

Public Works crews are replacing a culvert at the intersection.

The work will require a temporary closure of Riverside Road with a detour around the intersection through Martin Road and back to Riverside.

Information: Nick Pezzello or Alice Champagne at 770-641-3707. Patrick Fox

Businessman to discuss rezoning request

Businessman Carl Williams will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss his plans to build a restaurant on Mathis Airport Parkway in Forsyth County. Williams is seeking a conditional use permit from the county to change the zoning of the property from neighborhood service to commercial.

The meeting will be at the Friendship Christian School, 3160 Old Atlanta Road, Suwanee. Patrick FoX

Alpharetta moves ahead with road project

Alpharetta has taken the first step in a major realignment of Haynes Bridge Road near downtown.

The City Council approved a $150,000 contract with URS Corporation this week to prepare construction documents for the project.

Patrick Fox

ATLANTA

Council launches Facebook, Twitter pages

The Atlanta City Council has launched Facebook and Twitter pages this week to give Atlanta residents direct access to news, updates, and municipal information via social media.

Citizens and media outlets may access each platform through the Council’s website at citycouncil.atlantaga.gov.

Or by going directly to Twitter @ATLCouncil and Facebook at

Ernie Suggs

Court upholds child porn conviction

The federal appeals court in Atlanta has upheld the conviction of a man who, after serving time for child molestation, mailed 28 images of child pornography in an Easter card to a former cellmate. Preston Daniel Cooper committed the crime while living in a halfway house after being released from custody in 2008. He used the house’s computer to print out the illicit images and mailed the card using a false name and return address. The card was intercepted by federal authorities who ultimately charged Cooper, who is now serving a 15-year prison term. Bill Rankin

Men Stopping Violence dinner Oct.15

Activist and actor, Victor Rivas Rivers; businesswoman Ann Stallard; and the online magazine, “The Good Men Project,” will be honored during the 2011 Men Stopping Violence Annual Awards Dinner, which will be held Oct. 15 at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown.

Tickets range from $225 for a ticket to $2,000 for a table. For information and to purchase tickets, go to www.menstoppingviolence.org or call 404-270-9894. Shelia Poole

National Black MBA Association meets Oct. 4

The National Black MBA Association, with a boost from Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, announced this week that the organization’s 33rd annual convention will begin Oct. 4 at the Georgia World Congress Center. With more than 12,000 people expected and 350 corporations attending, organizers say the event is the largest black business and professional conference in the country. Ernie Suggs

DEKALB

Officer critical after being hit by car

A DeKalb police officer responding to a multi-car accident on I-20 early Sunday morning is in intensive care after being hit by a passing motorist. DeKalb police said officer Daniel LaCoste was struck on I-20 east just west of Evans Mill Road. LaCoste is in Grady Memorial Hospital in critical but stable condition, said Mitchum. The driver remained at the scene and has been charged. George Mathis

Decatur School Board OKs millage increase

Decatur’s School Board approved a 2012 millage rate of 20.90, an increase of 1.00 mill over last year. Superintendent Phyllis Edwards said this should bring in an extra $1.1 million into to the city’s school system. She added the increase was necessary due to the construction of the Fifth Avenue 4/5 Academy, which can hold 600 students and officially opens August 2. Fifth Avenue, whose total cost was $8.4 million according to Project Manager Susan Simpson, is the first new Decatur school since 1972. Bill Banks for the AJC

D.A. worker to run for court clerk

A longtime employee of the DeKalb County District Attorney office has announced she will run for Superior Court Clerk next year. Oretha Brown-Johnson, a 20-year employee of the DA’s office, oversees the department that manages about 16,000 cases a year for the 10 county Superior Court divisions. Debra DeBerry has been in the job since March, appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal after incumbent Linda Carter resigned. Carter has since sued, saying her resignation was invalid. April Hunt

Southwest DeKalb grad named head coach

Bobbie Kelsey, a 1991 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High, has been named the new head coach of women’s basketball at the University of Wisconsin.

Kelsey made the USA Today Top 25 selection before playing five years at Stanford University. She had played professionally for the Atlanta Glory of the American Basketball League and held assistant coaching jobs at Stanford, Virginia Tech and the University of Florida before being hired by Wisconsin this spring. April Hunt

Teacher job fair to be on Friday

Georgia schools will network with job candidates Friday at the Georgia Perimeter College Clarkston campus.

Hundreds of teachers and nearly a dozen school systems are expected to attend the 12th Annual Georgia Teacher Summer Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 555 North Indian Creek Dr., off Memorial Drive outside I-285. Qualified candidates should register on the TeachGeorgia website, www.teachgeorgia.org. Ty Tagami

Dunwoody proposes voting district change

Dunwoody has proposed to change the voting district boundaries of districts 1,2 and 3 for the November general election. A copy of the changes, which have been submitted to the Department of Justice, are available for viewing in the City of Dunwoody City Clerk’s Office, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250, Dunwoody, during business hours. The public is invited to comment. Information: City Attorney Brian Anderson at 678-382-6708. Michelle E. Shaw

SOUTHSIDE

First hearing today on Clayton tax hike

Clayton County Commissioners are holding three public hearings on a proposed tax hike. The first hearing is today at 6 p.m. The others will be July 26 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Commissioners have tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require a 34.18 percent property tax hike for maintenance and operation and 7.06 percent for unincorporated Clayton County. The hike means a millage rate of 15.813 for Clayton County, up 4.028 mills. The hearings will be in the commissioners’ boardroom, 112 Smith St., Jonesboro. Tammy Joyner

School board confirms new hires

The Fulton County School Board, acting on the superintendent’s recommendations, has confirmed these new hires for the central office or for schools on the south side: Gonzalo LaCava, executive director for exceptional children; Mary Mira, strategic data fellow; Swade Huff, principal, Crossroads South in Union City; Curt Green as assistant principal, Banneker High School in College Park; and Katherine Conner, assistant principal, Westlake High School in Atlanta. In addition, the system is rehiring Duane Roberts as assistant principal, Paul D. West Middle School in East Point.

Nancy Badertscher

Hambrick to hold community meeting

Commissioner Gail Hambrick will host a “What’s On Your Mind” event on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Virginia Burton Gray Center. The meeting is for Hambrick’s District 2 constituents to voice their opinions on community concerns. The center is at 1475 E. Fayetteville Road in Riverdale. Details: 770 473-5751. Tammy Joyner

East Point gives fans away to seniors

East Point residents 65 years and older can get a free fan to help beat the summer heat. The giveaway is today at 10 a.m. at East Point Fire Station No.1. Residents must present identification with an East Point address. If you cannot get transplantation to this event, call 404-559-6401 to have arrangements for one to be delivered. John Thompson for the AJC

Child safety seat workshop today

Fulton County’s Safe Kids Division is offering a series of free child safety seat workshops this summer, with technicians teaching parents and caregivers about proper seat installation, as well as the requirements of the state’s new Booster Seat Law that went into effect July 1.

The next workshop will be todayat 9:30 a.m. at the College Park Health Center, 1920 John E. Wesley Ave. Information: 404-613-1309 or www.fultoncountygahealth.org. Johnny Edwards

Exhibition depicts 19th century black life

A collection of original newspapers depicting black life in 19th century America are on display at the National Archives, 5780 Jonesboro Road in Morrow. The “Slavery and Freedom in Black and White: The African American Experience in 19th Century Newspapers” comes from the collection of Christine Mitchell. The collection is on display until October 15. Details: 770 968-2555. Tammy Joyner